Out of the Ashes

“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair…”
Isaiah 61:3

The mythical bird called the Phoenix is held up as a symbol of renewal, resurrection and eternal life. The descriptions of it vary but it is always described as bird of strength and beauty connected with royalty. The Phoenix was reborn from the ashes of its life. In the Bible ashes are a symbol of mourning and often time’s repentance.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the church’s Lenten season. Traditionally it is a time to look inward and reflect on the state of our hearts. It is also a time to look to the cross and contemplate the amazing sacrifice made there for us.   

Because Jesus, in obedience to His Father, willingly sacrificed His perfect, sinless life for our lives we like the Phoenix can rise out of the ashes as new creatures of strength and beauty connected to the divine royal family. 

As we begin this forty day journey to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection may we look into our own hearts and then look humbly upon the cross of Christ knowing that He has stretched out His hand to lift us from the ashes of our sinful, self-centered lives to crown us with beauty, anoint us with oil and clothe us in the garments of royalty and praise. 

This Lenten season may we reach out and take the hand of Jesus so we can rise out of the ashes.

A Prayer
Father, search our hearts today, let us bear the ashes of mourning for our sins, humbly as we repent and seek your forgiveness. Thank you that Your Son has made a way for us to rise out of the ashes. Thank you for making us new day by day. In the of Jesus our Savior, who lifts us from the ashes we pray - Amen.